A Humble Beginning for a Future Fan Favorite

It’s almost impossible to imagine Chicago Fire without Kelly Severide. For more than a decade, Taylor Kinney has embodied the cool, confident firefighter who keeps Firehouse 51 steady through its toughest challenges. Yet Severide’s legendary run started with just a single line in the pilot.

That first moment may have seemed small, but it defined his character instantly. Fans tuning into the debut episode met Severide with a grin, a joke, and a foreshadowing of the heartbreak to come.

The Line That Sparked a Legacy

Severide’s introduction wasn’t heroic or action-packed. Instead, it was a teasing comment directed at Andy Darden, his best friend and fellow firefighter. “Andy makes Squad the day I no longer am in charge,” Severide quipped, pulling laughter from his team.

The humor landed, but tragedy struck moments later. Andy’s shocking death in the line of duty shaped Severide’s arc for years to come. His first words became a bittersweet reminder of everything Firehouse 51 lost that night — and the leadership Severide would grow into.

Looking back in a 2021 cast reunion video, Kinney laughed at how much has changed since those early days. “Things hurt a little longer than they used to when that [line] was first uttered,” he joked, watching an old clip of his shirtless Season 1 self.

Chicago P.D. Debuts Were Just as Bold

The nostalgia trip didn’t stop with Firehouse 51. The Chicago P.D. cast also revisited their first lines, and the memories showed just how far the characters have come.

• Jay Halstead (Jesse Lee Soffer) opened his run undercover at Molly’s bar, charming women with Long Island iced teas. Soffer smirked at the scene, admitting that Jay was introduced as “undercover and on the prowl.”

• Trudy Platt (Amy Morton) arrived with her trademark sarcasm. After being greeted with “good morning sunshine,” she shot back a deadpan “Funny” while snatching paperwork. Morton noted how time has softened Platt — just a little.

• Adam Ruzek (Patrick John Flueger), meanwhile, made one of the boldest entrances in franchise history. During a police academy drill, he screamed at a partner pretending to be suicidal: “You wanna kill yourself?! I’ll do it!” before tackling him and seizing the weapon. The raw intensity earned him a spot in the Intelligence Unit. Flueger still calls it his favorite scene to this day.

One Chicago’s Legacy of First Impressions

The One Chicago franchise thrives on character depth, and these early moments set the stage. A playful jab, a sarcastic quip, or an explosive stunt — each line revealed something essential about who these characters would become.

For Kinney, that first Severide line grew into a role that defined his career. For fans, it marked the birth of a leader whose grit and heart kept Firehouse 51 together through endless danger.

What’s Next for Severide and Firehouse 51?

The nostalgia is fun, but Chicago Fire is far from slowing down. Season 14 premieres Wednesday, October 1, at 9/8c on NBC and streams the next day on Peacock. Alongside Chicago P.D. Season 13 and Chicago Med Season 11, fans are in for another year of heartbreaks, rescues, and unforgettable storytelling.

One thing is certain: from the very first line to the latest cliffhanger, Severide and the rest of the One Chicago family continue to prove why these shows remain must-watch television.